@phirazibula: In a piece on organisational renewal Cde Kgalema Mothlante wrote for a book titled “The future we chose” he argued: “The key lesson we may want to draw from this practice is to uphold and at all times defend the rich culture of debate that has sustained the organisation over the years. Our movement has not shied away from opening up the floor for a multiplicity of voices aimed at arriving at the best possible and most widely accept- able policy choices.” This was after President Nelson Mandela made the following remarks in the funeral of Cde Themba Harry Gwala: “Personally I was fortunate to cross swords with him on many an issue, both in prison and outside. I would naturally insist that I was right; as Harry would definitely insist that he too was right. But the abiding lesson from all this is that none of us emerged from such debates the poorer in knowledge; in appreciating issues from different angles; and indeed in forging an enriched understanding of struggle. Such is the unique strength of the ANC.” In this video Cde Parks Mankahlane then leader of SAYCO explains and practices this rich tradition of the ANC that of always debating issues even with those who are your known political opponents or hold different views. This tradition has not only helped the ANC have a deeper and more nuanced appreciation of society and the problems of each epoch, but helped it earn the title of leader of society as it represented in practice the broadest interests of the people. To its meetings and gatherings it called all justice loving people to make contributions on the future of their country and not only those who clapped hands for leadership and boosted their ego even when they were wrong or had no substantive political arguments. This culture made it difficult for populists and praise-singers to exist in our movement and at worst be elevated to positions of leadership on the basis of been loyal to the leader of the faction or sloganeering. As part of renewal we should recommit to the culture of open debates in the movement and bring an end to this foreign tendency of sidelining those who hold different views to a diabolic level not inviting them to meetings. We must debate with them with the intention of proving to them that their position is not the best possible solution at the present moment and might not be in the best interest of the movement at the moment. Cde Parks Mankahlane represents the depth and brilliance that once defined the leadership of the youth movement in South Africa. We must never give up on the fight to produce more young cadres in the mould of Cde Parks Mankahlane. Long live the spirit of Parks Mankahlane long live!

Phindile George

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Region: ZA

Thursday 16 July 2026 09:29:48 GMT